Uncle Jack from Rock101 asked the crowd "How many of you have never seen Kelly Richey before?" - When quite a few people raised their hands (including me), he said "Then, if you're like me, tomorrow morning you are going to tell all of your friends that you just saw the best guitar player in the world.....and it was a girl"

I have heard about Kelly and she has played 3 or 4 shows in Bismarck/Mandan before - But hearing about her and actually seeing her play are 2 very very different things.

After a brief sound check, Kelly Richey kicked off a sound that was unbelievable - and it didn't stop. Within 30 seconds, the crowd was absolutely mesmerized with what was coming off of that stage. Most of us had never seen anything like this before. As her set progressed, I felt like I was witnessing something special. There are some people that can say that they saw Stevie Ray Vaughan play, Today, I can say that I saw Kelly Richey.


Kelly paused briefly to tell us that she grew up in Kentucky and was raised as a Southern Baptist. Until as a teenager, she discovered Jimi Hendrix, and now, she is a "Recovering Southern Baptist" - What came next knocked our socks off.

As she picked off the first few notes to Hey Joe, the atmosphere was almost surreal. What had been a sunny hot day, was no longer and as she progressed through the song, dark clouds began to roll in over the tree line. As she moved through the first few verses of that Hendrix classic, the wind picked up and the rain drops began to fall, and as she took the front of the stage, guitar screaming behind her head, the trees began to shake violently back and forth behind and around the stage. It was as if Kelly's rendition of Hey Joe had sucked in the storm clouds and steered them in our direction - Tornados were touching ground around the State and Kelly Richey was guiding them this way and that, telling the thunderheads what to do and where to go.

It was one of those moments that burn themselves into the back of your brain. It was one of those moments that you will talk about years from now. It was one of those moments that solidify your belief in God.

I think one of two things probably happened yesterday:

1. God was watching our little festival, enjoying the show, and Jimi Hendrix leaned over to Him and said "you know what I would do if I were you?"......

2. God, displeased with the fact that Kelly Richey had obviously sold her soul to the devil in order to become the greatest guitar player in the world, sent in the storm in an effort to scare the audience, reform her and return her to the Baptist Church.


I am leaning towards #1


(BismanROCKS note - God, was also one of the few people who was able to see the BismanROCKS sign - which grazed the roof of the stage, pointing skyward)



Eric Kubischta
BismanROCKS.com

As we arrived at the post yesterday to the sounds of father and son Chuck and Ben Suchy, we pretended that we had not seen the weather forecast for the day and hoped that the "if we ignore it, it will go away" concept would work. It was beautiful out - even hot. The extra blankets and warm clothes we packed for the kids appeared to be unnecessary (according to the "I'm Too Hot" complaints from my crew) and we took our spot next to the trees to enjoy the last half of the Suchy's.

Chuck and Ben Suchy are the BisMan area stars of the acoustic folk and blues. As Blues Fest West continues a Fathers Day tradition of music in the future, we all hope that it will include them every year. As me and the family drove away later that night and I asked the kids who their favorites were, my 13 year daughter said "Those first guys - without the band" -

After the Suchy's, the group billed as "The Randy James Band" took the stage. Apparently this was supposed to be an acoustic show, however, Randy Keller garnered the services from a few musicians that had opened up the show (because he "wanted to jam"). For a group that formed just hours before they played, the did pretty good.


The Bryan Baily Blues Band was up next. Originally from Fargo, ND, this group (including the rare female bass player) was also pretty good. They had a few sound problems at the start, but things tightened up a bit, and, including a little comic relief on "Scratch my Back", they put on a good show.


The Taterz - what else can we say about this bunch of Bismarck area blues-rockers who belt out not only solid electric blues, but a mix of rock tunes from the 60's and 70's. These guys are fan favorites. Combined they probably have more local music experience than anyone in town, and all of them have played in bands for 20 or 30 years. With a "what the heck" they launched into a rendition of "Paint it Black" that really reminded me how different each and every band was at Blues Fest this year and how great of a job Dan did in putting together a variety of acts that were all different enough to keep us going for 2 days.

They also invited Joe Moss up on stage to jam and give us a taste of what was to come later in the evening.


Dean Weiser and friends setup inside the post for a 30 minute set (Minus Richard Torrence) while Kelly Richey set-up.


Kelly Richey - unbelievable - nuff said - Read my special review of Kelly's performance here. Kelly was one of the only acts that got the crowd on their feet multiple times, it was one of events that you will never forget.

I felt sorry for Joe Moss, not only was it raining, but he had to follow Richey who totally stole the entire weekend.

Dan asked Joe if he wanted to setup and play inside, as everything pointed to strong thunderstorms - Joe's response? - F!*@ the rain, I'm playin' outside. And he did.

As the crowd ran to gather under the tent or any other type of covering, The Joe Moss Band hit the stage as the rain poured down, and Tornado warnings were issued. Joe has had 2 shows over the last few years in town, and we can see why Dan brought him in. He has a killer Chicago Style blues sound, and, coupled with the rain, it was a great performance, and great, solid blues.

Joe even exclaimed to the crowd "I love you guys, here it is pouring outside, and your're all still here!" - Even though the protection of the tent kept us a few hundred feet away, the crowd would clap and whoop after each song and Joe would yell "I CAN HEAR YOU!!!"

As the Joe Moss Band winded down their set, we made the decision to pack up. Although, as an adult, I am smart enough to get under cover when it starts pouring, kids, do not seem to possess this level of "it is better to stay dry" smarts - They were soaked to the bone, and fearing bouts of pneumonia, we decided we better hit the road.

The JW Jones Band hit the stage after we left. All reports indicate that he put on a great finale, even though they were a bit late due to the Tornado and getting a bit lost -


What a great experience - While people at home in Bismarck/Mandan sat in their living rooms and watched the weather radar, then, snuck into their basements as the Tornado Sirens went off - There we were, outside, 2 miles south of Mandan, enjoying one of the best weekends of music this area has seen in a long long time.


Eric Kubischta
BismanROCKS.com

Rain.......

The only thing that could put a kink in the action on Saturday did. Shortly after 5:00, the Sun went away, the the rain drops started to fall. Although Dan Perry kept us abreast of the situation with the latest radar reports, and intimated that the "green blob" was fairly small - We were still forced into the tent to wait it out, and watch the kids slop through the mud while the sound folks covered up the speakers and the stage with tarps.


Dan was pretty close - it didn't last long and around 6:00 Heavy Water Radio (...."heavy water"...I just realized that was funny) hit the stage.


Once again, this group reminded us how good they really are (for all my thoughts, read my last review of the group) and delivered an electric delta blues type sound that was killer.

Dan promised quick stage turnarounds and they did well, Bob Tekippe and The Levee took the stage next. This was the first time that I had a chance to see this group and was excited when Bob announced that they would be playing no cover songs during their set. All originals are rare, especially for local groups, and everything we heard was great. I would buy a Levee album...


For those of you that don't know Bob, I remember him always as the guy at Eckroth Music that you would always try to "impress" when you were picking up various guitars and trying out this amp or that one. When Bob was around, you always made sure to deliver your best licks on that expensive Strat you couldn't afford hoping for some sort of nod or look of approval.

The next group was PBR Band out of Aberdeen. This is their second year at Blues Fest West and this father and son team are superb. They truly have a unique sound. I can't quite describe it but it is a sort of hard-blues mix but with a kind of rockabilly feel and, I don't know why, but there is even a hint of The Cars mixed in with their sound....(I am no expert, so no nasty "Eric knows nothing" comments please)



ZuZu took the stage as the sun set and played until nearly 11:00. It was nice to see their familiar tunes plus a good rendition of Black Horse and a Cherry Tree which got the crowd clappin' away (as crowds do when they sense the beginning of a familiar and popular tune). This song proves that even the "pop music listenin' Hot97 crowd" can appreciate a blues style song. The other great thing about ZuZu is the Hammond B3 and the Leslie speaker (if you don't know what a Leslie is, you surely noticed it spinning behind Dennis).

And, of course, Laure Turner kicks a$$.


We packed up as the rain began to fall (mainly due to the fact that I had an extra kid with me this evening who's mother was wondering where the heck she was). I wasn't able to see Richard and Dean play, which I was looking forward to. Hopefully there is some video from their set.

I am looking forward to Day 2 - No Rain please...